24
Let us not struggle against compulsion or take hollow pride in being put to the rack.
25
Not even the law itself would arbitrarily put us to death for fearing the instruments of torture.
26
Why does such contentiousness excite us and such a fatal stubbornness please us, when we can live in peace if we obey the king?"
27
But the youths, though about to be tortured, neither said any of these things nor even seriously considered them.
28
For they were contemptuous of the emotions and sovereign over agonies,
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.